Gas-lighting apparatus.



No. 629,999. Patented Aug. l, |999. J. L. cREvELmG.

GAS LIGHTING'APPARATUS.

(Application ledJuly 30, 1888.) (nu Modal.)

UNiTnn STATES .I OI'IN L. CRVELING,

AOF NEW YORK, N. Y.

GAS-LIGHTING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 629,890, dated August 1, 1899.

Application nea my so, isos.

To @ZZ whom t may concern.: A Y

Beit known that 1, JOHN L. CREVELING, of New York, in thecountyof New York, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gas-Lighting Appa-l ratus, of which the following is a complete specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. s

The object of my invention is to produce apparatus for lighthouses or beacons, for example, in which mechanism for producing a flash-light or other variable light is operated by the flow of gas tothe burneu In the accompanying drawings, Figure I is a central vertical section, partially in elevation, of a gas-lighting apparatus embodying my invention. Fig. II is a bottom plan view of the revoluble frame detached, illustrating the frame-driving gears intermeshing, asin operation.

Referring to the gures ,on the drawings, 1 represents a suitable support-as, for example, the door or platform of a tower or beacon.

2 represents the outside casing of the lantern, which is preferably made of metal, as iron, and which supports the glass superstructure 3. The superstructure and the casing are rigidly united, as by a joint 1, and the casing is united to the platform 1, as by an annular angle-iron base 5, whereby the comf bined structure is made practically air and water tight. I

The superstructure 3 is surmounted by a suitable cover or roof 6, which is preferably hinged or otherwise removably secured tothe superstructure 3. As illustrated in the drawings, it is formed witha flanged rim '7, which overlaps the annular head 8 of the super-V structure 3.

Within the casing 2 I provide a standard 9, secured to the floor 1, as by bolts 10. The standard' is arched at its upper end and is provided and lpreferably incorporatedwith an annular grooved track 11,which, as upon antifriction rollers or balls 12v, carries the revoluble frame 13, which is provided with `a grooved track 14, corresponding to the track 11, the balls 12 Working in the opposing grooves in the tracks.

Within the space inclosed bythe tracks 11 and 14 projects downwardly from the frame Serial No. 687,290. (No model.)

. 13 a hollow cylindrical stud 15, to which is iixed'a gear-wheel 16. The gear-wheel 1G (see Fig.V II) meshes with the pinion 17, that is fixed to the end of a shaft 1S of a gas-meter 19. The meterv19 maybe of anysuitable and ordinary,variety4 capable of causing the shaft 1b to revolve 4when gas passes through the meter. is well known in the art, is not illustrated in detail, the exterior of the case only being shown. A meter of ordinary type is adopted as a suitable and convenient example of gasactuated frame-driving mechanism and is employed in this connection specifically for the purpose of im p artingrotatiou to the frame 13. The upper 'end of the shaft 18, adjacent to the pinion 17,works snugly in a suitablyitted aperturerprovided for it in the standard 9 and is by that means supported in mesh with the gear 16.

. 2O indicates a burner pipe or pillar which The meter mechanism, being such as carries upon its upper end a burner or cluster of burners 21 and which is supported within the hollow of the stud 15 by the standard 9, through which it communicates with the out- Alet-pipe 22 ofthe meter. yThe inlet-pipe 23 of vthe meter communicates through a pressureregulator 2e with a supply-pipe 25, communieating with a source of gas-supply. (Not illustrated.) The pressure-regulator 24 may be of any desired type adapted to deliver the required flow of gas ata constant outlet-pressure regardless ofthe pressure of the inlet. The mechanism of pressure-regulators of this class is/old and familiar in the art and does not require detailed illustration. Its function specifically is to supply gas at a constant pressure to the pipe 23 from the pipe 25. l The revoluble frame 13 isadapted to carry vthe means of producing through its revolutions the variable light which it is the object of my invention to produce. Such means, consisting, essentially, of an element which will at-some point or points of the rotation of l the frame 13` intercept the rays of light from the burner is, for convenience of general designation denominated an intercepting member. p

The formof embodiment of my invention ICO illustrated carries upon one side, as the intercepting member, a prism 26 and upontlic other side a counterweight 27; but a second prism may be substituted for the counter- Weight 27, or bulls-eyes, blank disks, or rciiectors might be substituted for one or both prisms or might be used in connection with one or both Without departing from the principle of the apparatus illustrated.

28 indicates a lens that is hung by means of a frame 29 from the head 8, an annular lip 30 being provided in the head for the flanged end 31 of the frame 29.

32 indicates a fine for the discharge of the products of combustion from the burners 21 through a ventilator 33 in the top of the roof G. It is secured in the disk-head 34c of the frame 29, as by screw-threads 35.

36 indicates a diaphragm which, joined at its base to the frame 29 and at its upper end with the ventilator 33, defines within the roof G distinct passages for the products of combustion and for the air supplied through suitable caps 37 in the roof for the support of combustion at the burners 21. The air supplied through the caps 37 is partially confined under the roof around the diaphragm 36, being admitted through apertures 38 in the annular head 8. The diaphragm and other metallic part-s above the burners 21 are heated by the passage of the products of combustion from the burners through the fiue 32, and by that means the inlet-air is heated before it reaches the burners 21.

The operation of my apparatus, briefly stated, is as follows: Gas under pressure flows from the pipe 25 to the regulator 24, and thence at a constant and suitable pressure through the pipe 23 to the internal mechanism of the meter 19, whence it issuesthrough the pipe 22 and pillar 20 to the burners 21, where it is ignited. As above set forth, in passing through the meter 19 the floW'of gasim parts rotation to the shaft 1S, which by means of the intermeshing pinion 17 and gear 16 causes the frame 13 to revolve at a uniform velocity, the uniformity of movement being provided by the constancy of flow of gas through the pipe 23, Which is maintainable While a flame is supported at the burner 2l. Through the rotation of the frame 13 the intercepting member-for example, the prism 2Gis caused to revolve about the lens and at regular intervals to pass between the eye of a stationary observer and the source of light. By this means when the prism isemployed a powerful flash, common in lighthouse practice, is produced.

The interval between the flashes may be diminished by the employment of a-plurality of prisms. Other effects may be produced by the substitution of other intercepting members for the prism illustrated.

Vhat I claim is- 1. In gas -lighting apparatus for lighthouses or the like, the combination with a burner and means of communication with a source of gas-supply, of a revoluble frame adapted to carry an intercepting member around the burner, and gas-actuated framedriving mechanism in operative communication with the source of gas-supply, substantially as set forth.

2. In gas-lighting apparatus for lighthouses or the like, the combination With a suitable support, and revoluble frame thereon adapted to carry an intercepting member around the burner of the lighting apparatus, of means of communication With a source of gas-supply, and gas-actuated frame-driving mechanism in operative communication With the source of gas-supply, substantially as set forth.

3. In gas -lighting apparatus for lighthouses or the like, the combination With a suitable support, and a revoluble frame carried thereon, adapted to carry an interceptin g member around the burner of the lighting apparatus, of means of communication with a source of gas-supply, gas-actuated framedriving mechanism in operative communication with the source of gas-supply, and means for maintaining a constant pressure of gas, substantially as set forth.

4. In gas -lighting apparatus for lighthouses or the like, the combination Awith a standard, burner thereon, and revoluble frame adapted to carry an intercepting member around the burner, of means of communication with a source of gas-supply, gasactuated fram e-driving mechanism,including a shaft geared to the frame and in operative communication with the source of gas-supply, substantially as set forth.

5. In lighting apparatus for lighthouses or the like, the combination with a draft and Water proof structure adapted to inclose the lighting apparatus, an annular head provided with apertures above said structure, and a roof surmounting the same, of a lens-supporting frame suspended from the head, and closing the space encircled by the head, a line carried in the lens-supporting frame, and a ventilator in the roof With which the iiue communicates, a diaphragm between said frame and the ventilator, and air-inlet caps in the roof, all cooperating substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony of all which I have hereunto subscribed my name.

JOHN L. CREVELIN G.

Witnesses:

ELMER E. ALLBEE, RUDOLPH E. BRUCKNER.

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